Tank car twin tank construction



Sept-6, 1932,- v. wlLLoUGHBY 1,876,186

TANK CAR TWIN TANK CONSTRUCTION Sept. 6, 1932. v. wlLLouGl-IBY 1,8763'186 rmx cm Twm um: conswnucnou `Filed nec. s1, 1930 z'sn'eets-sheet 2 Patented Sept. 6, 1.932

.narran sra-rss j vrcaon wrnnonenv, or Brneiswoon,` NEW ,.ViznnysEY, AssIGNoR To Aivrnnionvnenli Ann ronrmnr ooMPAnnAoaNnW/Yonx, Y.,y n oonPonArrroN or .NEW JERSEY 'remt CAR' swings-lien eonsrnuogron i Appneatiorriefi'necember 31;'1930." l serial N; 505,771.

rlhis invention has 4to do with the art of tank car construction and is more particularly concerned with Va'type of car designedy primarily for the transportation of vliquefied .5S gases andthe like. f

The handling of gases in liquid form such as chlorine and sulphur-dioxide presentscertam difficulties which must be adequately K taken care of in order to provide for the lI transportation and handling under safe conditions.V lt is importantV that the tanks containing the liquid gases be substantially strong and rigid to withstand any pressure Y, that is likely tobe created therein bythe gases.

Moreover, the tanks must be thoroughly insulated against temperature changes `so as to prevent the likelihood of'increased pressure due to rises in temperature. Heretofore7 there have been proposed certain 29 tank constructions for handling of liquefied gases, but theseall more or less, are characterized by being of comparatively small dimensions,"and what. are commonly known .as drums, it taking a comparatively large number of the tanks, ordrums,- tOill the dimensions of a single freight car. The

present invention contemplates a tank .car

construction' wherein a' pair of tanks ,are disposed ,longitudin'ally lof thecar' and consti- 0 tute a main body portionthereof.r These tanks take up substantiallyv all the space within the over-all dimensions ofthe car permitted by regulations and eXtengdsubstan'- tially the full length of the c`ar. An Aiinportant feature of the inventionis assotfiated with the provision for mounting the tanks in position onthe car. More in"detail"-l propose to avail of cradle structures under each end of the tanks and which cradlesfare carried by the vbolsters* of the 'cargf Intermediate the extremities of the car, the frame thereof is provided with a cross'iplatewhich is slotted rto 'accommodate anchor plates which are attached to the tanks themselves. The details of these connections will 'bedej scribed more fully hereinafterf -g Another importanty phase ofthe present in'- vention is the provision of means for supporting a runfway centrally over the tanks and therebetween at the upper surface ofthe can *I propose to provide a casing.whicheX-y tendsentirely around both of the tanks and Which'constitutes asupport lfor, the run-way, and insulation retaining means. Y f .Another important object of tHe invern ion 'is associated v'withv the provision for :ml choring'the straps for holding the tanks securely in position on the car frame.' These strapsare anchored at one'end to the car bolster'and pass `over they tanks and have their other end securely fastened to the cen*- ter sill at. a point spaced from' the bolster.

Other'more detailed objects and advantages i of the invention will in part. become apparent and part be hereinafter lsetr forthlasthe description`r of thein'ventionrv proceeds.

For a fulland Amore complete understand`` ingvof the invention reference may be had to thefollowing description andaccompany'-` ingdrawings wherein similar reference char? acters designate correspondingparts and wherein, z 1 is aside view taken on avpla'nemidway between the'tanks. This viewius taken about on .a1

l-'-'lofFi'g. .Y

Fig. 2 is a. sectional View taken atrightv angles toFi l.

resentedby the lines 2 and 2a of Fig.' 1;V

Sis an endy view of the carf,theftanks shown in dotted lines and Fig..` Il is atop plan View of the car underfraine formedwith the tanks omitted. :In this View parts are broken away to permit of showing on an enlarged scale. f lReferring now to the drawings, a twin'tank car made in Vaccordance with thek precepts of this invention vmay be described as comprising a center sill referred to generally as Aand from which extendadjacent' each side thereof holsters designated B.' Co'nnectingv the holsters' `and extending alongside ofthe car frame areV side sills in the form' off channel members C. These'side sills eitendthe full length of the car and are connected at nate-d 10 which is also connected tothe cenplane represented'by the lines This `"ietfelflbolies sectional showings taken ontwo separate planes as pep.

sli

tersill as shown aft-'11. Each end of the'ear frame is braced by diagonal members 12 which are connected to the corners o f the car as shown at 13 and to the center sill at the point where the bolsters B are joined thereto,

this being indicated at 14 in Fig. 1l.

In the illustrative embodiment,l the center sill A is shown ascomprising a pair of channel beams 15, which are disposed in opposed spaced relation and are connected by the coverplate 16 and the cross plate21. Each of the'bolsters B comprises a pair of pressed diaphragms 17 which extend outwardly from Y each side of the center sill A. rlhese diaphragms 17 are of general channel construcnel form project from each side of the center sill A, fconnect with the side sills and constitute .transverse supporting members for the central plate 21. This plate member 21 is formed with a series of spaced slots 23 for a purpose to .be hereinafter specified.

rlhe cradles carried by each of the bolsters at each end of the car are of identical structure, so only one of them is here described for the purposes of this specication. This cradle includes block member 24; having a concave face 25 and which block is carried by a channel 26 thatV is secured to the supporting block 27. rlhe latter is permanently fastened to the bolster Band side sill C as by rivets shown at 23 in Fig. 2. This block and supporting structure is duplicated adjacent the center sill A-in the form of block 29, channel 30, and supporting member 31. The concave face of the blocks 24 and 29 define the curvature of the cradle which may be carried out in the supporting block 32 by forming the latter with a curved seat designated 33 which conforms with the curvature of the concave face of the blocks.v

A pair of tanks D is carried by the car frame structure above described and is seated atveach end in the cradle. These tanks D are of duplicate structure and one of them may be described as including a metallic shell 311 vwhich is covered by a comparatively thick layer of heat insulating material such as any suitable asbestos composition which is designated 35. This insulating materia] is cut away adjacent each end of the tank to provide for contacting),` engagement between the 'concave faces of the blocks 2li and 29 and the shell 34C-, 1n order to provide for maximum diameters in the tanks D the shells 3A are spaced a very slight distance apart where these tanks come together and the insulation is cut away to provide for this closev spacing, as is clearly shown at 36 of Fig. 2. It is important that these tanks be so disposed that they may be of the maximum diameter and still be within the dimensions permitted by regulations.

Midway the length of each tank D a dome 37 is provided and connected to the tank shell 3A and flanged as shown at 33. rThe insulation extends up about the dome 37 and under the flange 38 as is shown in Fig. 2 and is held in position by the annular flanged plate v70.

Each of the tanks D is provided near its upper end with a series of spaced supporting,` brackets 39 for the support of an inclosing shell or casing which'surrounds both tank shells. The brackets serve also as supports for the angle members 6 which support running board saddles hereinafter referred to.

These brackets may be connected directly to conventional tank bands as at 40 (Fig. 2) or to straps as 8 which surround the tank shells intermediate the tank bands. lThese straps are shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 and the connection of the brackets to the tank bands and straps permit riveting directly thereto and avoids the necessity of punching holes in the tank shells to receive rivets to connect the brackets directly to the tank shells. The brackets serve as supports for the casing Ll1 hereinafter more fully described and the extremities of the bands 8 may be connected together as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 at 7 to rigidly position the b-ands about the tanks. These brackets extend through the insulation 35 and have their surfaces either flush with or extending` slightly beyond the surface of this insulation. A casing l1 is disposed about the insulation 35 and extends entirely around both of the tanks when in their assembled relation and the inner surface of this casing 41 engages the supporting brackets 39. This casing may be of a two-part construction including the parts 41a and 41?) which are joined through the flange 42. Carried by the casin g 41 between the tanks D and extending longitudinally of the car is a run-way A3 which is mounted on saddles 44 which are riveted to angles 6 which are connected to the casing 41 as shown at 45. These angle bars 6 serve to reinforce the casing in supporting the run-way.

The casing 41 extends the full length of thetanks and at each end has connected thereto end plates 46 which cover the extremities of the tanks D. Ladders t7 may be located at each end of the car and constitute substantial continuation of the lrun-wayv 13.

These ladders are connected at their lower extremities to the platform 49, which in turn is carried by the underframe.

Referring now more particularly to the manner in which the tanks D are anchored toitlielcamit isrnotable thataeach ot the. tanks has connectedf thereto-` as by rivets 50y a" pairl Y of" spaced6 longitudinally extending anchor plates; 5l havingf. flanges 52through which;

the rivets extend.V These anchor plates .51, are located; centrally'of the car. and extend downward-ly. and. pass Vthrough lthe slots 23 in the platel. They are permanently 'connectied to-.the plate 2l' by angle vbars .5f-li which are disposed: onV the under `tace of' `the plates .and whicha-re riveteditofthe plates 51. and cross 'platefQL Cooperating with these angle bars 53 are upper angle bars 54 constituting parts et atank anchor. @ne flange of each ofthe angles 54 is fastened to the plate :5l as shown at 55 While the .otherwtlan'gerests upon the` .upper face of the plate 21. This connection the bolster as illustrated inFig.' l, to provide for arigid andjpermanent assembly.v Y

It'isevident Yfrom thel foregoing-that I have provided atWin. tank construction v.in which thetanks are-compactly arranged. to providefor: maximum.v diameters off the tanks and which .are rigidly and positivelyL mounted on' the car frame in amanner providing-for 'suit-V able heat insulating 1 effects. whichrendery the tanks particularly adaptable forf the handling of liquelied gases.` f Y While a preferred specific embodiment'oi the invention ish'erein'betore set forth, itsis.

to be understoodfthat lanifnot to be limited.

bythewexact construction illustrated and described'because various modifications 'of-'these' details may be providediinrputting the invention intopractice withinkthe` purview ot the appended claims..

WhatV is claimed isz.' v l.V Infa'tank car construction, the combination with a carframeiofapairot insulated.l

tanks' carriedby the'irame and extending: lengthwise 7of theCarrame, means-'for an# choring the tanks to the car trame .centrally of the car', additional means a'dj acent' each end ot the car tor holding the tanks in posi-.-

tion on the frame anda .casing surrounding the pair of tanks and supported thereby.

2. In a tank car construction, the combination with a car frame of a pair of insulated tanks disposed thereon and extending longitudinally of the car, permanent fastening members carried by each of the tanks intermediate their extremities and connected to frame.

thel car'frame centrally ofthe car,v and acasing surrounding the pairv ofy tanks and? supported thereby.` f

3. InA a tank car construction, a. combina-v tion-witha carframe of av pair of insulated tanks disposed. thereon andV extending longitudinally ot.' the car, a floor on said frame, permanentv fastening members carried by each offthe tanks'intermediate their extremities and connected to the iioor centrally oi the car, saidVA members comprisingv vertically extending plates which are connected tosaid tloorfbyv angle bars anda casing surrounding thefpair` of tanks andsupported thereby.'

` 4e A tank. ear of thecharacter'de'scribed,

comprising, a pair ot tanks extending longi# tudinally 'ofthe car, brackets mountedY on the tanks, heat insulating materialen said tanks, means surrounding the pair of tanks and su.p. ported byfsaid brackets forretaining,l the insulating. material in position, saidi`lastnientione'd means also constitutingza'supportfor a: run-Way. c

' "5; 'A'l tanks' carI ofthe character;described', comprising, a pair'ottanks kextending longi-v tudinallycfi'the car, bands clarnpeidftof the f tanks, brackets secured to. isadi bands,A heat insulatingma'terialbn saidtanks, means sur'- roundingthe pairl of tanks andsupportefd: by said; bracket-sfor retainingthel insulating material iny position, said last-mentioned means also constituting'a support'fora runway, a cari frame' andmeans for anchoring` the tanksninvv assembled position onv the car v6. 'A tankcarl of' the character described,

iet

comprising, afframe consistingzof acenter I sill,1b`olsters adjacent each side of thecenter sill andfcrossbearers, a plate secured to'said bearers, cradle structures carried'by eachl of thebolste-rson each side'ot thefcenter sill',` and a'pairot-'tanks seated in saidcradlesand extending longitudinally of thecarv and i means secured to said plate andftorsaid `tanks for-fanchoringfthetanks tothe car frame.`

7. Axtank car-*ofthe character described, comprising, a frame-consisting of a center sill, bolsters adjacent each side of the center sill and crossbearers, a. pla-te secured tolsaid bearers, cradle structuresV carried byeach of the holsters on each side ofithe'center sill, and a pair of tanks seated 'in said fcradl'esand extending; longitudinally of:v the'car, said tanks including shells which are spaced a slight. distance apart, and insulation cover ingthe shells, .said insulationbeing cut away to accommodate closepositioning otithe shellsand. means-secured to said plate` and to said tanksatorl anchoring theY tanksto the car frame'.v Y

8. A tank car of the character described,

comprising, a frame consistinfgbf' a/ center s i-ll,` ,bolsters adjacenteach .si-delof. the A center sillland crossbearers, a platesecuredto said? bearers, :cradle:structurescarriedy byeach` of:

the bolsters on each side of the center sill, a pair ot tanks seated in said cradles and extending longitudinally of the car, said tanks including shells which are spaced a slight distance apart, insulation covering the shells, said insulation being cut away to. accommodate close positioning` of the shells and means disposed centrally ot the tanks Jfor securing them to said plate in position on the car frame.

9. A tank car construction of the characv ter described, comprising, a frame consisting of a center sill, end holsters and side sills, a cross plate connected to said sills and center sill intermediate the ends ot the car, said cross plate being Jformed with slots, a pair of tanks carried by the frame, vertically extending anchor plates rigidly connected to the tanks and extendingl through said slots in the cross plate and means tor connecting said anchoring plates to the cross p-late.

1'0. A tank car construction of the character described, comprising, a :trame consisting of the center sill, end holsters and side sill, a cross plate connected to said side sills and center sill intermediate the ends of the car, saidl cross plate being formed with slots, a pair of tanks carried by the frame, vertically extending anchor plates rigidly connected to the tanks and extending through said slots in the cross plate and means for connecting said anchoring plates to the cross plate, said means consisting of angle bars disposed above and below the cross plate and connected to the anchoring plates.

11. In a tank car construction.l a car trame consisting of a center sill, side sills and end holsters, a cross plate connected to said side sillsand center sill, a plurality of tanks can ried by the car frame, anchormembers secured to said tanks and said plate and straps for holding the tanks in position on the car iframe, said straps having one extremity anchored to the side sill and the other to the center sill at a point offset from the bolster.

12. A tank car comprising, a car frame, a plurality of insulated tanks extending longitudin ally of the car and carried by the frame, a casingl extending about and supported by said tanks, and a longitudinally extending run-way carried by the casing and disposed centrally of the car.

13. A tank car comprising, a car frame, a plurality of insulated tanks extending longitudinally of the car and carried by the fra-me, a casing extending about and supported by said tanks, a longitudinally extending run-way carried by the casing and disposed centrally ot the car, and ladders at each end of the car communicating with the run-way.

lll. In a multi-unit tank car, a frame comprising side sills, center sill and cross members, a loor sheet extending between the side sills and provided with spaced pairs of longitudinal slots arranged on either side of the center sill, tank anchor members extending through said slots and secured tothe licor sheet, and tanks supported by the pairs of anchor members.

15. In a multi-unit tank car, a frame comprising side sills, center sill and cross members, spaced pairs of cradles on either side of the longitudinal axis of the car, a pair of tanks supported by said cradles, anchor members secured to said tanks and certain of said cross members 1for anchoring said tanks to said frame, a single casing surrounding the pair of tanks and a running board arranged above the tanks and suppo-rted by said casing intermediate the tanks.

1G. In a multiunit tank car, a frame com prising side sills, center sill, crossbearers and end bolsters, a floor plate extending between the side sills and crossbearers, said plate being secured to the side sills and crossbearers and being provided With slots, tank anchor members extending through the slots and secured to said floor, a plurality oit tanks secured to said members, and a casing surrounding the tanks and supported thereby.

17. In a multi-unit tank car, a trame comi prising side sills, center sill, crossbearers and end bolsters, cradles on said bolsters, a floor plate extending between the side sills and crossbearers and secured thereto, said plate being provided with slots arranged on either side of the longitudinal axis ot the car, tank anchor members extending through the slots and secured to said Hoor, a pair of tanks arranged longitudinally of the car-and supported by said cradles and secured to said members.

18; In a multi-unit tank car, a frame comprising side sills, center sill, crossbearers and end bolsters, cradles on said bolsters, a floor plate extending between the side sills and crossbearers and secured thereto, said plate being provided With'slots arranged on either side of the longitudinal axis of the car,.tank anchor members extending through the slots and secured to said floor, a pair of tanks seated in said cradles and extending longitudinally of the car, said tanks being secured to said anchor members, heat insulating material on said tanks, a casing surrounding the pair of tanks and supported thereby, and a ruiming board arranged above the tanks and supported by said casing intermediate the tanks.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

VICTOR WILLOUGHBY. 

